Training Log Archive: Nadim

From Northfield Rd. Custer Rd., Park Ln., and Exeter Rd. to Bethesda Ave., to the Georgetown Branch Trail, to Connecticutt Ave., to Jones Bridge Rd., to the Bethesda Trolley Trail., to Maple Ridge Rd., to the Huntington Pkwy., to Custer Rd., to Northfield Rd. I cruised thorugh most of this again not really knowing my pace. I was around 7:12 for the first mile, and a timed measured mile on the Georgetown Branch Trail was 7:17. I did get slowed on Bethesda Ave.; there was some of the usual foot traffic but the road was also closed for an art festival too. It was a rather nice sunny 72 F and breezy day.

Another busy, but better day. Dinner with my old college roomate in the evening discouraged training again.

Very busy and a rather awful day all around.

45 situps.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to Arlington Rd. with Max on his trail-a-bike, then to 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. It was a pleasant cloudy morning wtih no winds. I started feeling good and taking it easy. I pushed in the middle when a roady passed, and took it easier after Georgetown.

From 14th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Arlington Rd. in Bethesda, MD via the National Mall to pickup Max's trail-a-bike, then to Northfield Rd., I started riding through the inner courtyard and basement of the building, where I work. I had anticipated leaving a little late but not as much as this. It was already dusk when I started. I opted to use the Mall since traffic was bad on Independence Ave. I got through to Dorsey Rd. in Somersett before it was really dark. I didn't have a headlight but had a tail light.

From Northfield Rd., to Arlington Rd., to Bethesda Ave. for lunch with Peggy, then back to Northfield Rd. through the neighborhood streets.

Carderock Park, MD. Up the C&O Towpath to the Billygoat Trail Section B, to the towpath, to the observation platform at the Great Falls dam, to the tavern and restroom, to the Gold Mile Loop, to the Angler's Spur Trail to the Berma Rd. to the towpath, to Carderock Park. I was tired starting out. I'd worked in the yard for a while before going. I started comfortably and moved steadily up the Billygoat trail. It'd been a long time since I had run it and I re-learned how scenic it is. The problem is that the trail is so rocky that it takes a lot of concentration to keep from falling. I was successful at that today :). It was at least in the upper 70s F. when I ran, and there was a lot of sunshine. I sweat a lot. On the towpath along the Widewater, I saw Lisa Beck from QOC going the other way with a water pack and looking like she was out for a long run. I was feeling slow but passing people. When I used to run the towpath in the 70's, I was always doing this part of the way in the 6 minute/mile range and that memory still stays with me. I crawled up the Gold Mine Trail steadily without getting overly tired. Mentally, I was saving something for the climbing and once I was past it, my pace speeded-up a lot. When I hit the C&O towpath going back, I quickly caught one runner, then set off on a steady quick run. I timed the time between the last mile markers at 7:18. I passed some cyclists and was drenched when I finished.

Great Falls, VA. Greg and Kathleen Lennon had arranged for some ad hoc training. Fortunately we were able to meet in a park where it allowed us later to see my ailing dad afterward, and then to meet some friends for dinner. The training was fun. We did a Map Hike with biodegradable markers (mostly fruit) set out by most of the participants. It was hilly. I felt I moved well but getting very much in the circle wasn't enough. Within the circle I often had to hunt around for the fruit. In one marsh, I hunted around and was pretty sure that I had gotten to the right clearing without ever finding the marker. I caught Greg who had started earlier and tried to get ahead on one control that I messed up a lot on. I should of taken the trail from the road but coming more directly I mistook which trail I was on. It was a difficult area and my relocation attempt was slow, still confused by the trails. Greg messed up too but got ahead. I later caught him again when startrting a long leg. it was a fun enemy on a great autumn day.